….Will challenge Gov Sule’s 2027 preferred candidate
Allegations have surfaced that Dr. Shuaib Faisal’s loyal supporters, formerly of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), are poised to abandon the All Progressives Congress (APC) for an opposition party should their aspirants for chairmanship and councilorship positions fail to emerge triumphant statewide in Nasarawa
This comes after the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership and stakeholders insisted that only popular and qualified candidates nominated by consensus committees from various LGAs would emerge, contrary to Dr. Faisal’s request to use his links and friendship with the Governor to influence his favor.
According to sources, Dr. Shuaib Faisal’s alleged ties to sponsoring select chairmanship and councilorship aspirants, notably in Toto LG, and covertly obtaining nomination forms for 12 ward councillorship positions to counter the party’s established agenda, have led to discomfort amidst procedural adjustments mandating strict conformity with electoral laws before Nasarawa State’s November 2nd, 2024, local government polls.
Beyond sponsorship, Dr. Faisal is said to have been paying visits to traditional rulers in an effort to gain favor with the governor.
Speaking recently in Lafia, the state capital, a group working for Faisal’s governorship ambition, known as Faisal Gida-Gida, revealed that arrangements are in top gear; should all their plots fail, their principal and former NPHDA boss would have no option but to leave APC for the opposition to contest the 2027 gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State.
Mallam Abdullahi Abubakar addressed reporters, stating that several disputes had been resolved in the Governor’s favor, emphasizing that continued disputes would undermine his credibility in the State.
According to him, the decision made by the majority of Toto LG stakeholders and party executives indicates that Dr. Faisal’s camp may also forfeit Toto, which no longer favors his interests and may hinder his gubernatorial aspirations.
“To avoid humiliation by the Governor’s machinery in Toto LG, we skipped the primaries. Nevertheless, the outcome suggests a lack of control, leading us to defect from APC to any party offering a robust structure to contest the Governor’s nominee in 2027.”
“It’s acknowledged that Dr. Faisal endorses Mallam Salihu Gani (Shamaki) for Toto LG Chairmanship, but he faces challenges, particularly since his involvement has raised concerns.”
“During Dr. Faisal’s recent visit to a traditional ruler, Abdullahi Abubakar stated that it was a strategic effort to influence the Governor, expressing concern that some prominent traditional rulers declined to cooperate, openly advising him to demonstrate loyalty to the Governor.”
He was further advised to exercise caution in trading to avoid being ridiculed in the State.
“We have initiated a strong opposition against Governor Abdullahi Sule, APC, and his affiliates in Nasarawa State.”
He stated that when Dr. Faisal attempted to engage the Governor, the Governor’s typical response of instructing Faisal to coordinate with his Toto LG stakeholders was unsatisfactory, leading to suspicion that the Governor has vested interests in the ongoing process.
It was also reported that some traditional rulers advised Dr. Faisal to be cautious of associates and advisers who aim to exploit his wealth and later abandon him.
A senior party leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, observed that Dr. Faisal’s desperation to succeed Engineer Abdullahi Sule is reminiscent of past experiences with similar individuals, many of whom have left and are now regretful of their actions.
He warned that this level of desperation would only culminate in further problems within the party, advising Faisal to consider the potential consequences of his actions on his professional standing.
He noted that they initially praised Dr. Faisal’s impartial stance on the Chairmanship aspirants, but were subsequently dismayed by reports of his involvement in sponsoring candidates in Toto and various LGAs within the State.
Toto LG chairmanship aspirants have condemned Dr. Faisal’s involvement in backing a candidate after professing neutrality and declared their intention to challenge his actions.
